Everton have confirmed Colin Chong will remain at the club after his brilliant work as interim CEO.
In doing so it has dropped a hint about plans for the Bramley Moore surrounding area.
On announcing the news alongside confirmation of Angus Kinnear’s arrival as the new club CEO, the club said: “Colin Chong will remain with the Club overseeing Everton’s new stadium and the regeneration of its surrounding area, as well the future of Goodison Park.”
The ‘surrounding area’ comment could mean the area directly around the stadium but once the Fan Plaza has been completed there is very little to do for the club. Chong’s biggest challenge will be the future of Goodison Park.
Interestingly Chong himself mentions his remit as covering the regeneration of the area around the stadium.
Colin said: “It has been an honour to serve as Everton’s CEO and to shepherd the Club through challenging times and into a bright new future under The Friedkin Group. I look forward to taking on this new role focusing on our new home and, just as importantly, the regeneration of the area around it.”
While there is redevelopment in the form of several new bars around the ground, it could hint at a wider development led by the Friedkin Group. In October the Athletic suggested the Friedkin’s were interested in expanding Everton’s footprint around Bramley Moore.
It said: “TFG is looking to increase the club’s footprint at the docklands site, most likely by buying the land around Nelson Dock, which is immediately to the south of Bramley-Moore Dock, to create more space for the type of entertainment and leisure offering any venue-operator must provide these days to make the sums add up.”
Nelson Dock already has outline planning permission for a large hotel, a number of restaurants and bars, and even a floating sports facility in the centre of the dock. It would include apartment blocks and public spaces and would link the city centre to Bramley Moore Stadium. You can see the full plans for Nelson Dock here.
The land is owned by Peel Ports and is part of the £5.5bn Liverpool Waters project. Peel has already build some high rise buildings at the city centre end and work has already started on a ‘Central Park’ style development on derelict ground to the south side of Nelson Dock.
If the Friedkin Group does secure more land around the stadium Chong, whose background as a project leader at Laing O’Rourke, will prove to be an invaluable asset as the area is regenerated.